https://indianpedia.org/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Manuel_D%27LimaManuel D'Lima - Revision history2026-07-31T04:17:24ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.45.4https://indianpedia.org/index.php?title=Manuel_D%27Lima&diff=516351&oldid=prevAlejandroQkj at 22:23, 14 March 20262026-03-14T22:23:10Z<p></p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Indian playwright and theatre director (1934–2016)}}<br />
{{about|an Indian former playwright|the Portuguese–American designer|Manuel Lima}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}<br />
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2025}}<br />
{{Infobox person<br />
| name = Manuel D'Lima<br />
| image =<br />
| caption =<br />
| birth_place = [[Porvorim, Goa]], [[Portuguese India]], [[Portuguese Empire]]<br />
| birth_date = {{circa|1934}}<br />
| other_names = {{hlist|Manuel de Lima|M. J. D'Lima}}<br />
| occupation = {{hlist|Playwright|theatre director|banker|musician}}<br />
| death_date = October {{death date and age|2016|1934}}<br />
| death_place = [[Santacruz, Mumbai]], Maharashtra, India <br />
| known_for = Staging [[Christian drama|religious plays]] during [[Lent]]<br />
| notable_works = ''Soddvondar'' (1970s)<br />
| employer = [[Bank of India]]<br />
| years_active = 1970s–2000s<br />
| module = {{Infobox musical artist <br />
| origin = Goa, India <br />
| embed = yes<br />
| genre = {{hlist|[[Goan music]]|[[beat music]]}}<br />
| past_member_of = The Syndicate <br />
}}<br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''Manuel J. D'Lima'''{{efn|alternatively spelt as '''Manuel de Lima'''}} ({{circa|1934}} – October 2016) was an Indian former playwright, theatre director, musician, and banker known for his work in ''[[tiatr]]'' productions and [[radio play]]s. He began his career in his hometown of [[Porvorim, Goa]]. Following his move to [[Santacruz, Mumbai|Santacruz, Bombay]], D'Lima began to produce commercial theatre productions. Later, he began to write radio plays and [[Radio comedy|skits]] on [[All India Radio]], [[Bombay]]. A former member of the [[Goan]] [[cover band]] The Syndicate, D'Lima became known mainly for his [[liturgical drama|religious plays]] that he staged during the [[Lent]] season in [[Goa]] or Bombay. He is one of the early writers of religious ''tiatrs'' that were staged in the 1970s.<br />
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==Early life==<br />
[[File:A view from Porvorim hill.jpg|thumb|View from a hill in Porvorim, Goa, where D'Lima spent his early years.]]<br />
Manuel J. D'Lima was born in 1934. He hailed from the town of [[Porvorim]], in the colony of [[Goa]], which was then part of [[Portuguese India]], during the [[Portuguese Empire]] (now located in India). He began his stage career in his home region writing and staging [[Konkani language|Konkani]] ''[[tiatrs]]'', a form of [[musical theatre]] indigenous to Goa. These productions found an audience in Porvorim.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Mazarello |first=Wilson |author-link=Wilson Mazarello |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K-1PAQAAIAAJ |title=100 Years of Konkani Tiatro |date=2000 |publisher=Government of Goa, Directorate of Art & Culture |pages=173, 339 |access-date=2024-01-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107200151/https://books.google.com/books?id=K-1PAQAAIAAJ |archive-date=2024-01-07 |url-status=live}}</ref><br />
<br />
==Career==<br />
=== Introduction to theatre and radio in Bombay, British India ===<br />
D'Lima moved to [[Bombay, British India]] (now Mumbai, India), a [[metropolis]] known for its vibrant [[entertainment industry]]. There he presented his first major ''tiatr'', ''Ek Oklek Don Noure'' (The Bride With Two Bridegrooms), in support of Socorro-Union, a type of [[social club]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Da Silva |first=Fernando Monte |date=18 July 2015 |title=Goa's social clubs facing youthful dis-membering? |url=https://www.heraldgoa.in/Review/Goa-Social/Goa%E2%80%99s-social-clubs-facing-youthful-dismembering/91207 |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=oHeraldo |archive-date=2024-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240707061128/https://www.heraldgoa.in/Review/Goa-Social/Goa%E2%80%99s-social-clubs-facing-youthful-dismembering/91207 |url-status=live }}</ref> in [[Socorro, Goa]] around the mid-20th century. The play debuted in [[Porvorim]], his native town located in the coastal region of [[Goa]]. D'Lima also began work with [[All India Radio]], the [[state-owned]] [[Public broadcasting|public]] radio broadcaster in Bombay, where he secured a position as a regular artist. On this platform, also known as [[Akashvani (radio broadcaster)|Akashvani]], he wrote approximately 100 small [[playlets]]<ref name=":0" /> and [[radio comedy]] [[Sketch comedy|skit]]s.<ref name=":3" /><br />
<br />
===Subsequent move to religious plays during the Lent season===<br />
[[File:J. P. Souzalin's religious tiatr Sam Francis Xavier.jpg|thumb|A religious ''tiatr'' [[handbill]], ''Sam Francis Xavier'' by [[J. P. Souzalin]], in Konkani]]<br />
D'Lima's contributions to [[Goan]] theatre extended beyond [[Secularism|secular]]-themed performances, as he also staged [[Christian]] [[liturgical drama|religious plays]] in the mid-1970s. Although predominantly biblical in nature and tied to the season of [[Lent]], these productions aimed to inspire [[introspection]], [[contemplation]], and [[personal transformation]] among their audiences.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=14 March 2015 |title=Tiatr and the period of prayer, penance and abstinence |url=https://www.heraldgoa.in/Review/Voice-Of-Tiatr/Tiatr-and-the-period-of-prayer-penance-and-abstinence/85969 |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=[[O Heraldo]] |archive-date=2024-07-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240704154422/https://www.heraldgoa.in/Review/Voice-Of-Tiatr/Tiatr-and-the-period-of-prayer-penance-and-abstinence/85969 |url-status=live }}</ref> He, along with [[Konkani language|Konkani dramatists]] such as [[Simon C. Fernandes]], [[Remmie Colaço]], [[Prem Kumar (Konkani actor)|Prem Kumar]], [[Robin Vaz]], and [[Aleixinho de Candolim]], is credited with upholding the legacy of Souzalin's religious ''tiatrs''.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last1=Fernandes |first1=Paul |last2=Esteves |first2=Pio |author-link2=Pio Esteves |date=2015-02-19 |title=Religious tiatr traces its roots back to the 1960s |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/religious-tiatr-traces-its-roots-back-to-the-1960s/articleshow/46292164.cms?_gl=1*1xic3hm*_ga*YW1wLVZSa1JjbUZONEdOWklrVTRJWGFieHZrbk93cUkzVHgtSENVYzdRX1FnczUzeU1fbzExekVfemw5Q04zRkJ5TF8.*_ga_FCN624MN68*MTcwNTkwMTI0My4xMTQuMC4xNzA1OTAxMjQzLjYwLjAuMA..#_ga=2.243413957.159991920.1705751399-amp-VRkRcmFN4GNZIkU4IXabxvknOwqI3Tx-HCUc7Q_Qgs53yM_o11zE_zl9CN3FByL_ |access-date=2024-01-22 |work=[[The Times of India]] |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=2024-07-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240704154422/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/religious-tiatr-traces-its-roots-back-to-the-1960s/articleshow/46292164.cms?_gl=1%2A1xic3hm%2A_ga%2AYW1wLVZSa1JjbUZONEdOWklrVTRJWGFieHZrbk93cUkzVHgtSENVYzdRX1FnczUzeU1fbzExekVfemw5Q04zRkJ5TF8.%2A_ga_FCN624MN68%2AMTcwNTkwMTI0My4xMTQuMC4xNzA1OTAxMjQzLjYwLjAuMA..#_ga=2.243413957.159991920.1705751399-amp-VRkRcmFN4GNZIkU4IXabxvknOwqI3Tx-HCUc7Q_Qgs53yM_o11zE_zl9CN3FByL_ |url-status=live }}</ref> Collaborations among D'Lima and other performers within the Konkani theatre community included [[Cyriaco Dias]], a Konkani actor and playwright, who played [[Jesus Christ]] in D'Lima's religious ''[[tiatr]] Soddvondar'' (The Deliverer).<ref name=":0" /><br />
<br />
The ''Soddvondar'' production featured notable cast such as Xavier Mendes, of the musical trio the Mendes Bros (Felix, Derrick and Xavier Mendes), during the play's staging in Bombay. It was also performed in [[Panjim]], Goa, featuring [[Dioguinho D'Mello]] in his final acting performance.<ref name=":3" /> Collaborating with popular actors from the [[Tiatr|Konkani stage]], D'Lima began to write a series of up to seven larger-scale ''tiatrs'' productions during the late-20th century.<ref name=":3" /> These include ''Europi Saukar'' (European Banker), ''Shakuntala'', ''Bism Saib'' (The Bishop), ''Milagr'' (The Miracle), ''Khorkhos Ostori'' (Inevitable Woman), ''Soddvondar'' (The Deliverer), and ''Quo Vadis?'' ([[Quo Vadis?|Where are you going?]]).<ref name=":0" /> D'Lima cast drummer Tony King in the latter play.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2014-06-07 |title=Fanki Tony King Ontorlo |url=https://issuu.com/ixtt/docs/23 |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=[[Vauraddeancho Ixtt]] |language=gom |archive-date=2023-02-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228210354/https://issuu.com/ixtt/docs/23 |url-status=live }}</ref> D'Lima's introduction to religious plays was initiated by [[J. P. Souzalin]]'s play ''Saibinicheo Sath Dukhi'' (The Seven Sorrows of Mary), staged during the early 1970s.<ref name=":4" /><br />
<br />
===The Syndicate band and ''tiatr'' contracts (1980s–2000s)===<br />
D'Lima was involved in the [[Goan music]] scene as a member of the popular 1980s [[cover band]] known as The Syndicate, formed in 1979.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 March 2011 |title=Qatar: Top Band "The Syndicate" To Perform At The 11th Annual May Queen Ball In Qatar |url=https://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay?newsID=97308 |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=[[Daijiworld]] |archive-date=2024-07-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240704154419/https://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay?newsID=97308 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Syndicate disbanded around the year 2002.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pinto |first=Cecil |date=21 October 2010 |title=Sounding out Goan cover bands Remo's offer to reward originality |work=[[Media in Goa#Newspapers and magazines|Gomantak Times]] |pages=7}}</ref> D'Lima then entered into a partnership with fellow artist Santan Rodricks. They initially accepted ''tiatr'' producing contracts{{efn|''Tiatr'' contractors oversee the logistical and financial components necessary to stage [[Tiatr|Konkani theater]] performances. The primary responsibilities include securing performance venues, managing [[Audio equipment|audio]]/technical equipment, and handling promotional activities for ''tiatr'' shows. In November 1986, ''tiatr'' contractors earned approximately {{INRConvert|17000|year=1986}} per show in a 2,000 seat venue and around {{INRConvert|10000|year=1986}} in a 1,000 seat venue.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Kale |first=Pramod |date=1986 |title=Essentialist and Epochalist Elements in Goan Popular Culture: A Case Study of "Tiatr" |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/4376359 |journal=Economic and Political Weekly |volume=21 |issue=47 |pages=2054–2063 |jstor=4376359 |issn=0012-9976 |access-date=2024-07-04 |archive-date=2021-02-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226081602/https://www.jstor.org/stable/4376359 |url-status=live }}</ref>}} under the pseudonym "Lima-San." D'Lima was one of the early ''tiatr'' contractors operating in Bombay from the 1980s to the 2000s, but during this period, D'Lima shifted his focus from writing and directing ''tiatrs'' to banking and managing ''tiatr'' contracts.<ref name=":0" /> D'Lima worked in the banking industry for the majority of his working life.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last1=Da Costa |first1=Fausto V. |title=TIATR 125th Anniversary Commemorative Volume |last2=Rose |first2=Joe |author-link2=Joe Rose (Konkani actor) |publisher=[[Tiatr Academy of Goa]] |year=2019 |location=[[Panaji, Goa]] |pages=18, 87, 105}}</ref> His work at [[Bank of India]] ultimately led to his decision to discontinue theatre work.<ref name=":0" /><br />
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==Personal life==<br />
[[File:Santacruz Bombay 1952.jpg|thumb|Santacruz railway station in 1952, one of the stations used by the [[Goan Catholic]]s during [[internal migration]]<ref>{{Cite journal |date=2018 |title=Goans and East-Indians: A Negotiated Catholic Presence in Bombay's Urban Space |url=https://journals.library.brocku.ca/index.php/ijpds/article/download/3268/2521/10487 |journal=InterDISCIPLINARY Journal of Portuguese Diaspora Studies |volume=6 |pages=61–62, 64 |via=[[Brock University]] |access-date=2024-07-07 |archive-date=2024-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240707061124/https://journals.library.brocku.ca/index.php/ijpds/article/download/3268/2521/10487 |url-status=live }}</ref>]]<br />
D'Lima resided in [[Santacruz, Mumbai]], with his family.<ref name=":0" /> In October 2016, he died at his home in Santacruz. He was around 81–82 years old.<ref name=":3" /><br />
<br />
==Selected stage works==<br />
===''Tiatrs''===<br />
{| class="wikitable sortable"<br />
!Year<br />
!Title<br />
!Role<br />
!Notes<br />
!Ref<br />
|-<br />
|<br />
|''Ek Oklek Don Noure''<br />
|Writer<br />
|Professional debut<br />
|rowspan="6"|<ref name=":0" /><br />
|-<br />
|<br />
|''Europi Saukar''<br />
|Writer<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
|<br />
|''Shakuntala''<br />
|Writer<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
|<br />
|''Bism Saib''<br />
|Writer<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
|<br />
|''Milagr''<br />
|Writer<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
|<br />
|''Khorkhos Ostori''<br />
|Writer<br />
|<br />
|-<br />
|1970s<br />
|''Soddvondar''<br />
|Writer<br />
|<br />
|<ref name=":3" /><br />
|-<br />
|<br />
|''Quo Vadis?''<br />
|Writer<br />
|<br />
|<ref name=":2" /><br />
|}<br />
<br />
==Notes==<br />
{{Notelist}}<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
<br />
{{Authority control}}<br />
<br />
{{DEFAULTSORT:DLima, Manuel}}<br />
[[Category:1934 births]]<br />
[[Category:2016 deaths]]<br />
[[Category:Tiatrists]]<br />
[[Category:People from North Goa district]]<br />
[[Category:People from Mumbai]]<br />
[[Category:Dramatists and playwrights from Goa]]</div>AlejandroQkj